With the weather forecast to remain fine it was decided that a visit to Andover Parkrun was in order this week. The course description informed us we would be running mainly on grass but following recent dry weather it was expected this would be firm underfoot. Appropriate footwear was chosen based on this assumption. This is a flat, 2 lap parkrun with no bidirectional sections. There is plenty of room to spread out at the start so congestion is minimal. Everything aligns to allow for a push to a PB.
The town is a little under an hour’s drive away so an early start was required. Recommended parking is off an industrial estate but we couldn’t find this and ended up circling on a one way system. Resorting to Google Maps we followed parking signs to spaces on a road by the playing fields. From here we could see the course being set up so decided this would do.
Having taken photos by the popup we went in search of toilet facilities. These are in a café located behind trees near the start point. The building was still closed when we arrived but other runners were waiting and assured us it would open promptly at 8.45am. This proved to be the case.
Back at the start the First Timers briefing was announced. The gentleman taking this asked if anyone would finish in under 17 minutes – otherwise his advice was to follow those in front – but one young man raised his hand so a description of the course route was provided. This was worth doing as, from the results, it looks like the young man may well have been first finisher.
The Run Director then called everyone to the start point and gave his briefing. After covering the few rules, calling out milestones and thanking the volunteers it was time to call Go!
The course starts on a tarmac path but with grass on either side there is plenty of space for overtaking. This path ends at the top of the field where the snake of runners turn left, laps being run anti-clockwise. Cones on the ground and friendly marshals ensured everyone knew the route to follow when there were choices. Other than a few pinch points the paths remained wide enough for everyone to run at their favoured pace throughout.
This is a lovely course which includes wooded sections and a lap of a lake as well as the fields. Although sections of it are on grass a good proportion is tarmac paths so in good weather road shoes are suitable. We were told afterwards it gets muddy in winter when trail shoes are best to avoid slippage. This was not a problem today.
The finish is close to the start and needs to be passed twice. At the end of the second lap a little extra distance is needed, made up by running along the first tarmac path to a turning point and then sprinting back across the grass to the finish funnel. We had been reminded by the Run Director in his briefing to keep moving along once this is entered. All around me were heeding this instruction and were processed with friendly efficiency.
396 participants passed through the finish funnel today. The pack was led by Cameron Cass in a time of 16:34. 62 participants achieved course PBs.
6 people earned the right to wear a new milestone t-shirt. Congratulations to: Elaine Rolfe (100); Sophie Adnitt (50); James Redfern, Belinda Davie and Graeme Berry (25); Sienna Painting (10).
Biggest thanks as ever go to the 25 volunteers without whom the event couldn’t have happened.
We very much enjoyed running at Andover and agreed we would be happy to return. It is a well attended parkrun but on a course that has space for the numbers, and with facilities to hand that ensure those travelling any distance can start their run in comfort.
